Could you go on holiday alone?

[Whatwouldyoudo22]

I think the only way I'm going to be able to get away this year is by myself. So I'm wondering, would it be okay or just a bit tragic?

@Blankspace4

I’ve been for a short trip away solo, and enjoyed it. As others have said, the eating is the only ‘awkward’ part, specifically in the evening. I found I would make the most of the days but have my evenings back at the apartment. I’m not one for sitting in a bar on my own or approaching strangers! But going to the beach during the day was no issue, got through several books and I enjoyed sightseeing and shopping. I’d definitely do it again.

I just take my kindle, enjoy my food and then sit with a drink whilst reading, unless there is someone to chant to

Sounds amazing, especially at the moment

I'd love to do something like a yoga retreat, or just go off hiking on my own.

I enjoy travelling on my own. The freedom to do as you like, change your mind etc is refreshing. I understand the anxiety about eating out alone on the evening but I've got over that. If people think anything of it, it's a one-minute wonder.

I love it

Do what I want, when I want.
Eat as and when I want, ditto the drink
I am no longer young but I don't feel threatened or odd at all. Most places are happy to look after you.

Yes. I have and I will again.

Only in the UK but that's more because I'm poor than anything else 😂😂😂

It's honestly the best thing. Wake up when you want, go exactly where you want for as long as you want. No pandering to others and it's wonderful.

I just take my kindle, enjoy my food and then sit with a drink whilst reading, unless there is someone to chant to

I remember the first time I had a Kindle instead of books when I was travelling - not only saved my shoulders / luggage allowance but TRANSFORMED solo eating and drinking out. No more trying to somehow wedge the book under your plate while cutting up your food...

(Yes I know magazines exist, no idea why I didn’t do that at the time - maybe lack of language options? Or that I honestly never considered it until this very moment....)

I absolutely love solo travel.

I've done long weekend city breaks and, for longer periods, walking/yoga holidays. The activity holidays typically mean an optional group evening meal together which can be lovely. I have made lasting friendships from random people who attended the same interest course.

On an entirely solo break I like to book a room with a view, so that I can sit admiring the view, without or without a glass of something delicious in my hand. Tend to get up early, see what I want to see while it's relatively quiet. Have my main meal of the day at lunch time then plan on a drink/snack in the evening. Sometimes I do theatre etc events in the evening, so I am happy to eat out properly in the evening.

I've travelled enough for work to be comfortable on my own in restaurants and entertainment.

Mobile phone with kindle/audible combination and Bluetooth speakers provide a complete entertainment system at any time. (Remember the olden days when part of holiday prep was picking which books to take, now I take my whole kindle library).

The biggest difference is how likely I am to chat to people throughout the day. I'm much to old nowadays to worry about 'giving wrong signals ' and am happy to chat to anyone.

Usual precautions that are sensible anywhere. I would not finish a drink left unattended, would not broadcast my room number...

It's good to know about some things you can do if you want to, then have only yourself to please when you decide what to do all day and night.

Bliss.

Thanks everyone. I think I just picture myself sat alone in the evening feeling a bit lonely!

Sounds like absolute heaven, i would do a city break with a spa hotel and love every minute. Might do that for my 40th actually. Hope you have the best time

I definitely would not that dh and dc would be impressed
Somewhere with lots of interesting shops/bookshops and nice cafes hopefully by the sea. Lots of nice food, mooching and sea air-bliss!

Yes and I have done lots of weekend city breaks alone. I'm single, usually go on thd main holidays with DS but I'm sure he will get to an age where he doesn't want to come on holiday with me any more and I'm not missing out!

Tragic, why? I do it regularly, it’s great. As other people have said, you can completely please yourself. If you do it, OP, I hope you enjoy yourself.

I have done it pre marriage and children and would again at the drop of a hat. The freedom! I also have been out for many meals and to the cinema on my own. It feels a bit strange at first but you just have to own it.

I would quite happily do it.

That would be my absolute fantasy scenario right now.

I went to Yorkshire a few years ago...beautiful little cottage in the arse end of nowhere with a hot tub.

I cannot tell you how many times I've fantasised about that place over the last six months.

Not tragic at all. I’m thinking of doing it.

I've been saying for some while that I want to go abroad on my own. Things are very stressful here and I'd just love to get away and totally please myself for a week or two. Friends have recommended it too. However, one friend said that you need to be careful because other holidaymakers can feel sorry for you and try to take you under their wing. She said that one couple kept waiting for her at the hotel and inviting her to sit with them for dinner and round the pool etc. They couldn't get their head around the fact that she chose to go away in her own and leave her (much loved) husband at home!

I go away for a week by self every year and have done so for the last 20 years .
I generally book into a good AI hotel and walk a lot . I have been to Greece , Turkey, the Canaries, Morocco, Tunisia , Menorca, China , Gibraltar, Mainland Spain and a few others .
I try not to make eye contact for the first few days , establish the fact that “ I vant to bee alone” and then relax a bit . Otherwise you tend to get “ adopted “ and I have a very busy life at home so I go away to relax .
I go to my room before the evening entertainment starts and always try to find somewhere with good WiFi .
I do remember having to borrow a kindle charger one year as I thought mine would last all week and it didn’t !

Often. I love it. I’ve gone on retreats, walked part of the Pennine Way and a French section of the Santiago de Compostela route, spent a week seeing everything at the Venice Biennale, a week in Florence, A cottage on an inhabited island, and other things.

None of those would have been enjoyable in the same way with a companion.

I do it several times a year and have done for over 30 years.
I tend to go off the general beaten path and love it.
There are no downsides.

I think it’s important to pick your destination well. I did Turkey alone a few years ago and as a young blonde girl I attracted a lot of attention from the hotel reps who just would not leave me alone. I ended up booking loads of excursions as I got so sick of them pestering me when I just wanted to lie by the pool and read my book.

However, last year I did a week travelling Australia alone and had a much better experience. I was out doing something every day so tended to just grab something quick in the evenings and chill in my room so no awkwardness sitting in a restaurant alone. It was also the sort of place where travelling alone was almost expected so people were friendly and it didn’t seem odd.
The following week a friend joined me and was such a nightmare I wished I was alone again!

Yes. I'm happily married but I go on holiday by myself. I love it. Pick something like a cruise so it's safe to wander around at night for your first time.
It's empowering

My vote for an entry level is an activity holiday, one where you can easily drop or skip some sessions without falling behind.

Activities can provide congenial companions if you want them alongside tbe option to do your own thing.

Then do a short entirely solo and you are ready for anything. Enjoy.

I have done for years. I don't do beachy resorts though, prefer cities or activity type things.

God, yes. Right now that would be my perfect thing. Ideally a beach but a fairly quiet place, but honestly anything on my own would be bliss.